Bahrain Protesters Smash Windows at U.S. Embassy

Yahoo News ^ | 4/5/02 | Abbas Salman

[Libloather]

Bahrain Protesters Smash Windows at U.S. Embassy
Fri Apr 5,12:02 PM ET
By Abbas Salman

MANAMA (Reuters) - Thousands of demonstrators attacked the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain Friday, some breaking into the compound and smashing windows in the main building to protest against Israeli raids on Palestinians in the West Bank.

Witnesses said hundreds of riot police clashed with the protesters, firing teargas and rubber bullets in a vain effort to keep them out of the smoke-filled compound.

The demonstration was one of the biggest political gatherings for some years in the conservative Gulf Arab state, which is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

Demonstrators hurled stones and petrol bombs at the main embassy building, some putting up a Palestinian flag while others yelled "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Some protesters set fire to U.S. flags.

Riot police dispersed the protesters after about one hour and fired repeated volleys of teargas to prevent them from regrouping while helicopters flew overhead.

A political activist said about 80 people were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries from rubber bullets or teargas, but a hospital doctor later told Reuters none of the injuries was serious.

Some demonstrators attacked a nearby McDonald's restaurant as a symbol of the U.S. presence in the small island state, smashing its windows.

In neighboring Saudi Arabia, some 2,000 people defied a ban on demonstrations to show their support for the Palestinians outside the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Dhahran, residents said.

Police surrounded a march by some 2,500 pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the nearby town of al-Qatif, but there were no reports of violence. The town is in a region that is home to Saudi Arabia's minority Shi'ite Muslims and the scene of sporadic unrest in the past.

Several peaceful rallies have been held in neighboring Gulf Arab states since Israel launched a new offensive in the West Bank following a spate of Palestinian suicide bombings.

Conservative Gulf Arab states have found themselves walking a tightrope as public anger mounts against their key ally, the United States, for what ordinary people see as its pro-Israeli bias.

Bahrain was engulfed in controversy a few days ago, when the U.S. ambassador asked a school gathering to observe a minute of silence for Israelis killed by Palestinians after a student asked the group to pay tribute to Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks.

A leading Bahraini newspaper demanded a public apology from the envoy for "insulting" Bahrainis.

[weikel]

I wonder if it has anything to do with the Emir giving up absolute power now that they are no longer afraid of the Emir the Shiites( who are a majority but the royal family is Sunni) and Wahabbis in Bahrain are taking it as a good time to start trouble.

[Libloather]

As this one is dying.

Not while I'm on the case! BTW, where the hell is Manama?

[scratchgolfer]

Once again it appears the only friend to the US in the Middle East, is Israel. There are no anti-American attacks, riots or protests going on there. Except perhaps by European and other leftists who resent the US alliance with Israel.

[SalukiLawyer]

Manama is the capital of Bahrain. Come to think of it, besides the beautiful irrigated gardens and western music (and alcohol) there were pillboxes scattered around the city by the Emir "just in case." Bahrain appeared to be a very rich country, but there were swaths of poor neighborhoods, too. If there was a middle class, I missed it.

[LarryLied]

Know when tommorow's edition of the Bahrain Gulf News hits the net? Should be interesting to say the least. Please ping me if you post it or anything more on this.

[LarryLied]

Once again it appears the only friend to the US in the Middle East, is Israel.

That is one way to put it. A more clearer view is that most every country in the world is against Israel except the USA.

You sound almost pleased that US troops are in danger in Bahrain because it shows what a good buddy Israel is to the US. Most Americans would not even think about how this affects Israel. Or if they did, it would not be the first comment they made. Reminds me of what Netanyahu's first comment was about 3,000 Americans dying in NYC and DC: It would help US/Israeli relations (he did catch himself fast however and mouthed the usual platitudes of sorrow).

[happygrl]

BUMP for the safety of our diplomatic corps, embassy staff and their families.

[happygrl]

This Ambassador deserves a medal!! Agreed. We are in these countries to project the wonderful values of America, not to bend our stance into pretzels.

[happygrl]

Keep posting Larry. It's not quantity but quality that counts. (grin)

[LarryLied]

So what is going on today in some rat hole of a town in the West Bank I never heard of and hope to never hear of again?

Oh nevermind. I know. Somebody did something somebody else wants to kill them over.

[weikel]

Im almost sure Bibi did not say that I just don't buy that they hate us because of Israel Saudi money causing trouble behind the scenes probably as usual.

[LarryLied]

Bibi did say that and there is nothing wrong with it really. We know he meant that the USA and Israel would go out and get the perps. I prefer statements like that rather than endless condolences. But there is a certain "me-me" attitude one finds with supporters of Israel in America. Already some on this forum are saying that "massive" shift in the Jewish vote to the GOP is dead now because of what Bush said yesterday.

Did I predict it or what?

[weikel]

One of my friends here is a very conservative Jew only person I know in real life to the right of me he isn't happy but he will never vote Dem( he is less angry now then at the height of Bush's leftward slide tariffs, CFR etc I was really damn angry then and Im still sorta angry). Veronica isn't angry after all. I still think younger Jews are more pro capitalist anti socialist etc or just apolitical.

[weikel]

Tho other thing is Al Qaeda would be trying to blow this base up with or without the support of the population. Personally I think the Emir should have held onto absolute power( which he recently gave up voluntarily) there are no institutions organized like with Ataturk's Turkey to check fundamentalism without a strong anti fundi leader. I think we will survive in Bahrain the royal family didn't kick us out after one of the princesses ran off and married one off our marines stationed there.

[LarryLied]

I can't see any real problems in Bahrain either. The Gulf News should be interesting tonight tho.

[Phil V.]

Post a thread about the problems in Bahrain last night and it died.

War overload.

You know what Larry? I think that I'll turn the well-being of the Planet over to the Care and Will of God for a week. Monday is Marian's 60th. I think I'll forget about the shithole of the Middle East. I'll make my wife happy. I'll probably make a WHOLE LOT of Freepers happy. What's to lose?

Hold down the fort - or not.